On May 31st, Cooperation and Development Institute – CDI organized the round-table “Challenges and opportunities for meaningful Youth engagement in the EU integration process in Albania.” The event aimed to provide a useful contribution to ongoing discussions on the degree and effectiveness of the Albanian local civil society and youth involvement in the domestic reforms and policy making.
Mrs. MimozaHalimi, General Director for Political and Strategic Issues at Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs underlined the necessity for designing inclusive youth policies that aim to increase youth preparedness in the EU integration process of Albania. Mrs. EnkelejdaKokthi, Head of CFCU at Ministry of Finance and Economy presented the main current IPA supported projects under implementation by the civil society organizations in Albania.
With the participation of the Head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU Prof. Dr. TanjaMiščević, the participants were able to learn from the Serbian experience with the accession negotiations, in particular with the relevant Chapters where civil society – and Youth in particular – have an important role during the negotiation process. Likewise, Prof. Dr. Miščević highlighted that decentralization of youth policy in Serbia has been a great achievement and thus, may serve as a good example for other countries in the region.
Furthermore, Mrs. OdetaBarbullushi, National Coordinator for Regional Economic Area, also emphasized the need for developing a national strategy addressing the urgent need for investing in digital skills of youngsters with a proper budgeting crucial for ensuring its implementation.
During the Round-table, relevant initial findings resulting from the local consultations held by the CONNECT project team with CSOs and other interest groups from Korça, Vlora and Shkodra, were presented. The round-table was organized in the framework of the IPA funded project “Applying Sector Approach to Civil Society Contribution in EU Integration of Albania – CONNECT”, implemented by Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Tirana) and CentarSavremenePolitike/European Western Balkans (Belgrade).
The agenda of the event can be consulted here.
